Game-platform



(No Model.)

- T. TUTTLE.

- GAME PLATFORM.

No. 538,756. Patented May '7, 1895. 1 291.

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THERON "FUTTLE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK.

GAME-PLATFORM.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,756, dated May 7, 1895.

Application filed December 15,1894. Serial No. 531,916. (No model.)

binations of elements embodied in the plat form.

The invention consists in a novel platform, table, or board, which may be of any convenient or suitable dimensions, which is provided upon its generally fiat surface with a central discharging-stand, and with a series of upwardly extending deflecting projections,

which are of such material and such configuration as to adapt them to deflect suitable balls with which, in part, the game is to be played, and to cause such balls to be moved,

upon the surface of the platform, through vvarious distances, and into various positions,

according to the degree of the force with which, or to. the direction in which, they are impelled.

The invention consists also in a game-platform which has a generally flat surface, which is provided around its margin with a deflecting-rim or guard; which is provided upon its flat surface, with a central cone, pyramid or other upwardly-tapered discharging-station or playing-stand; which is provided, around such station or stand, with a series of converging sections the boundaries of which are defined by suitable division-lines, produced upon the surface of the platform, each of such converging sections abutting upon the base of the station or stand, and each being provided with an upwardly-extending projection, one or more, which is adapted to withstand the impact of the projectiles which are discharged from the apex of the station or stand, and to deflect them across, or into, one of the contiguous or neighboring sections or areas.

The invention consists also in a game-platform or apparatus in which are combined, upon a fiat surface, and within an inclosing rim, a central discharging-station or playingstand, two inwardly-converging ball-sections each of which extends from a corner of the platform to the base of the station or stand, and each of which has a ball-station or base, and a vertically-arranged deflecting-pin, between the ball-station and the base of the station or stand; and a series of target-sections or receiving-sections which together embrace those portions of the platform which are not occupied by the ball-station sections, and each of which is provided with an upwardly-extending deflecting-projection,one or more.

The invention consists also in various novel combinations of elements in or in connection with a game-platform or game-apparatus, as will appear from the succeeding detailed description of the construction and operation thereof, and from the specific and distinct claims ofnovelty which succeed such detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the game platform or table. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section taken'bn the irregular broken line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sec- .tion in the line a z of Fig. 1.

Referring now more in detail to the draw ings, it will be seen that the body a, of the platform A, is of rectangular form, and of uniform thickness, and that along its margin it is inclosed by a vertical guard or deflecting rim r, which extends upwardly a suitable distance above the surface of the body a. Along I two opposite sides of the platform, and mounted in suitable corner bearings b, are extended wires to and 10 upon each of which is a series of tallying-rings r From the surface of the platform, at the center thereof, rises the upwardly-tapering discharging-station or playing-stand a c. The remaining portion of the space embraced within the rim r, is divided into twelve sections,-a a a a a a a a a a, 0, and a ,Wl1lGl1 are arranged as follows: At what, for convenience, may be termed the top of the platform, is the approximately triangular section a which, by its base or longer side, extends along the side of the platform, toward the two upper corners of the same, and for adistance equal to about two-thirds the shorter diameter of such platform. The body of the section extends, in converging lines, from the side of the platform toward the center of the discharging-station or playing-stand a c, and abuts, by its cut-out apex, upon the base of such station or stand. As will be seen, this broad section a is provided with a triangular deflector d,-. the apex of which is in coincidence with the station or stand, with the slightly curved deflector 61 which is concentric with the station or stand, and with the intermediate space 8. At the left and at the right, respectively, of the platform, and of its top section a are the sections a and (1 which in extent and configuration are like each other, and like the section (t already described. These corresponding sections, a and a are provided, respectively, with the inner triangular deflectors, d and 1 and with the outer deflectors, (Z and d, which are slightly inwardly curved, in correspondence with the curved deflector d in the upper section 0. Opposite the section a at the top of the board or platform, is the bottom or base-section ad, which in the main is like the sections a a and (1 but which has a single deflector, (1 only, which is composed of an inwardly directed triangular portion 25, and an outwardlyexteuding stem or trunk 0 i. At the left and at the right, respectively, of the top section 0. and between that section and the lateral sections,a and a are the relatively narrow corner-sections or intermediate sections, a and a", the converging sides of which are straight, and the inner and outer extremities of which are curved in parallel planes which are concentric with the axis of the discharging-Sta tion,theouter extremities of the sections, by their corners, touching the rim 0 of the platform, and the reduced inner extremities extending to the base of the discharging-station. Upon each of these sections, near the outer extremity thereof, and in a plane which extends diagonally from the corner of the platform to the center of the discharging-station, is a small circle or dot b s, which designates one of the ball-stations or target-bases; and in the same plane, at a point about midway between the center of the discharging-station and the outer extremity of the section, is a vertical pin or peg p. Diagonally opposite the sections a and a, are the two corresponding corner-sections 0t and a which, as will be seen, closely resemble the sections a and a. They have, however, instead of the ball-stations or target-bases b s, curved deflectors d and d respectively; but, like their coincident corner-sections they are provided, each, with a vertical peg or pin 19.

In the corners of the platform, outside the broad extremities of the intermediate sections 03, a a, and a are the relatively small, approximately triangular sections a a, a, and a, the two former being at the top or upper extremity of the platform, and the two latter at the base thereof. The sections a and a, are plain,that is, without deflectors or other obstructions,-while the sections a and a have, at their outer extremity, deflectors d and d, respectively, of the triangular form represented.

For use in connection with the platform, suitable balls b, will be provided. Upon the sections a a, a a a", a, a a a" a, (1. and or, are represented respectively, the figures, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, and 5, and the ciphers, 0,0, 0, 0; and in the spaces 8, s and s of the sections a a a", are like ciphers, O, O, 0.

As will be obvious, other figures,or other arrangements ofthe same figures, might be adopted instead of these.

It will be understood that the apparatus may be composed, either wholly or in part, of wood, or of any other suitable material or materials. The deflectors or buffers will be formed from a flexible or elastic substance, or they will be faced or covered with a suitable deflecting material, and if desired, the inner face of the inclosing-guard or rim, may have a cushion surface, to deflect the projectiles, and suppress the sound otherwise resulting from concussion.

Instead of a cone, a pyramid may be employed, its planes and bases being arranged at a right angle with the radial intermediate sections a, a, a, and a as indicated by the broken lines which in Fig. 1 are drawn through the plan of the cone, and it will be obvious that any polygonal, upwardly-tapered station or stand, may be employed with equal effectiveness, in connection with the described platform.

The cone, the pins 19, and the series of deflectors, may all be made detachable from the body a, for renewal, or for repair.

It will be apparent that some of the parts of which the apparatus is composed, might be transposed, and that some of the minor elements might be discarded altogether, without departing from the limits of this invention; also, that a segment of the cone, or pyramid, at the apex thereof, might be removed, to provide a seat fora single ball or shooter.

In the use of the platform or apparatus, four balls are employed, each of the two contesting parties placing one ball which may be called the flying-target, or field-ball, upon one of the stations I) s, and each retaining a second ball which, for convenience, is termed the shooter,--tl1e balls being marked, for identification, in any suitable manner. One of the contestants then plays his shooter upon the target-ball previously placed by himself upon one of the stations I) s, the play being made by permitting the shooter to roll from the top to the bottom of the playing stand, and thence, directly or indirectly, toward the target-station, the object being to strike the first target-ball in such manner and with such force that it shall move and come to rest within some other section which has a positive numerical value, and so that if possible the shooter may also strike the opponents target-ball. The shooter is then removed from the platform, and the target-ball is left in the position in which it came to rest, so that it will usually present varied complications in methods of striking it with the shooter. The same player is not permitted to make two shots in succession, but having made one, whether successful, or unsuccessful, he must give place to his opponent.

Each player scores one for striking his own target-ball; two, for striking his own targetball and that, of his opponent, and as many in addition thereto, as may be indicated by the difference, in numerical value, between the numeral of the section from which the ball is propelled, and the numeral of the section in which the-ball comes to rest. When however, the ball finds lodgment in any one of the spaces or sections in which a cipher is represented, the shot goes for naught.

The game may be played by two, four, or six persons, and the side first scoring thirty points, succeeds.

It is obvious that the plays may be made, and the score computed, in various other ways which will readily suggest themselves to intelligent players.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed is- 1. The herein described game-platform, having the rectangular body a; the inclosing guard or rim 1"; a central upwardly-tapered discharging-station or playing-"stand, having a straight-sided wholly unobstructed surface, so that a ball may roll, from its apex to its base, toward any of the ball-stations upon the platform; the broad, lateral, inwardly-com.

verging sections; and the narrow, intermediate, inwardly-diminishing sections, one or more of which is provided with a ball-station, and with a fixed, vertically-arranged defiecting-standard or pin;al1 the converging sections abutting the base of the central, upwardly-tapered discharging-station or playing stand.

2. In a game --platform, the combination with a fiat rectangular body, of a central upwardly-tapered discharging-station or playing-standg lateral sections which converge upon the base of the central station or stand, and which are each provided with an upwardly-extending deflector, one or more; and obliquely-extending sections, which are arranged in alternation with the lateral converging sections, and which are provided, in part, with a ball-station or target-stand,and in part with an upwardly-extending ball-defiector.

3. A game-platform which has a generally fiat surface; which is provided, around its margin, with a deflecting-rim or guard; which is provided at its center, with an unobstructed, straight-sided, upwardly-tapered discharging-station or playing-stand, from which projectile's are discharged; and which is provided around such central discharging-station or playing-stand with a series of converging sections the boundaries of which are defined by division lines which are produced upon or formed in, the surface of the platform,each of such converging sections abutting the base of the unobstructed discharging-station or playing-stand, and each being provided at a distance from the station or stand, with a fixed upwardly-extending projection which is adapted to resist the impact of the projectiles which are propelled from the discharging-station or playing-stand, and to deflect them toward, into, across, or partially across, one of such converging sections.

4. A game-platform or apparatus in which are combined, upon aflat surface, and within an inclosing riln, a central, upwardly-tapering discharging-station or playing-stand; two inwardly-converging target-sections, each of which extends from a point at or near a corner of the platform, to the base of the dis charging-station or playing-stand, and each of which has a ball-seat or target-station; and aseries of converging-sections which embrace those portions of the platform which are not occupied by the ball-seat or target-station sections, and each of which is provided with an upwardly-extending defiector,one or more.

5. A game-apparatus in which are combined,upon a flat body, and within an inclosing-rim, a central, upwardly-tapering dis charging-station or playing stand; inwardlyconverging target-sections, each of which extends from a point at or near a corner of the body of the apparatus to the base of the tatpered discharging-station or playing-stand, and each of which has a ball-seat or targetstation, and a vertically-arranged deflectingpin; and a series of converging sections or ball-fields which together embrace those portions of the body of the apparatus which are not embraced by the ball-seat or target-station sections, and each of which is provided with an upwardly-extending defiector,one or more.

6. The described game-apparatus, in which are comprised the flat body a, inclosed by the guard or rim r; the centrally-placed, upwardly-tapered ball-station or playing-stand; the series of lateral triangular sections which abut by their apices upon the base of the upwardly-tapered ballstation or playing-stand, and which are provided with ball-deflectors, as described; the intermediate sections, a and a, each provided with a ball-seat or targetstation, and with a deflecting standard or pin; and the intermediate sections, a and a each provided with an outer elastic deflector, and with an inner deflecting standard or pin.

THERON TUTTLE.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS L. NOBLE, WILLIAM H. Goon.

ICO 

